They turned in an impressive performance against Scunthorpe at Kesteven RFC's ground, near Grantham, on Sunday to pick up the silverware.

Sleaford, sponsored by Turnbull Building & Plumbing Supplies, enjoyed their day in the sunshine in front of a large number of travelling supporters.

A penalty from player/coach James Offer after just two minutes settled any early nerves, as the Red and Blacks enjoyed the benefit of a slight breeze and the slope in the first period.

A further three points 10 minutes later extended their advantage.

The first try of the afternoon came from an interception by Ryan Bachelor. Awarded the Player of the Season at the club's dinner on Friday evening, the youngster read the play inside his own 22 metre area and sped down the pitch, stepping inside the covering winger to set up an easy conversion for Offer.

Four minutes later Sleaford's impressive defensive line forced Scunthorpe to drop a pass and winger Tom Collyer sprinted through and dribbled the loose ball ahead before touching down for try number two.

Tries then came at regular intervals, although the game was far from one sided, with Scunthorpe competing strongly in the scrummage and running hard and straight when in possession. But, with the boot of Offer working superbly well, territorial advantage was always in Sleaford's favour.

Aston Buckley stole possession 10 metres out and David Hards was on hand to take the offload and go over in the corner.
Good link play in the three-quarters brought about a second try for Bachelor and the conversion made it 32-0 to the Red and Blacks at the break.

Scunthorpe came out battling in the second half and used the elements to good effect to hit back with three tries in six minutes. None of the conversion attempts were made, so Sleaford still held a 17-point advantage.

But the Red and Blacks showed real spirit, which has been lacking in some of their fixtures this season, and they rallied after the brief storm.

Dan Mackie, on at scrum half, got the scoreboard moving once again for Sleaford, charging down a kick to touch down for his side's first try of the half on 32 minutes.

Offer then slotted over a long range penalty, before Mackie crossed the line for his second try after a good three-quarters' move. Offer added the conversion.

Another penalty by Offer took the Sleaford score to beyond the 50 mark and, although Scunthorpe had the late consolation of a converted try at the end, nothing could deny Sleaford their second cup win in three final appearances in the last four years.

Sleaford 1st XV: S. Lewis, A Priestley, C Angell, A Downing, D Hards, S Fischer, C Sammut, A Daughtrey (Capt), C Armond, J Offer, A Buckley, E Adamson, R Bachelor, T Collyer, G Willmot. Subs (all used): D Smith, D Davies, J Rowbotham, G Bradwell, L Chalmers, D Mackie, L McQuade

Sleaford scorers: Tries - Bachelor (2), Collyer, Hards, Mackie (2); Conversions - Offer (5); Penalties - Offer (4)